he turns and looks at you. And there is no sword in the world
that will cut off his head, save only that one.'

'I will do it,' replied the king; and he listened with all his
might, till he judged that the white-faced horse was close to
him. Then he sat up very straight and made ready.

The next moment there was a rushing noise as of a mighty tempest,
and the young man caught a glimpse of a face turned towards him.
Almost blindly he struck, not knowing whether he had killed or
only wounded the rider. But the head rolled off, and was caught
in the brown horse's mouth.

'Jump on my brother, the black horse, and go home as fast as you
can, and I will follow as quickly as I may,' cried the brown
horse; and leaping forward the king alighted on the back of the
black horse, but so near the tail that he almost fell off again.
But he stretched out his arm and clutched wildly at the mane and
pulled himself into the saddle.

Before the sky was streaked with red he was at home again, and
the queen was sitting waiting till he arrived, for sleep was far
from her eyes. Glad was she to see him enter, but she said
little, only took her harp and sang softly the songs which he
loved, till he went to bed, soothed and happy.

It was broad day when he woke, and he sprang up saying:

'Now I must go to the Gruagach, to find out if the spells he laid
on me are loose.'